Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President

Carson College of Business professor Chris Cooney teaches students during BA100.

School of Molecular Biosciences professor Ryan Driskell works on a molecular biology project in the lab with two of his students.

Music professor Jacqueline Wilson-works with a student on Bassoon playing.

Architecture professor Ayad Rahmani works on a studio project with a student.

A CVM professor works with students in the lab as they review recent results from a recent experiment.

Office of the Provost

Fostering academic excellence and student success

Office of the Provost

The Office of the Provost serves as the chief academic leadership hub for Washington State University, guiding the university’s overall academic mission. Led by the Provost and Executive Vice President—the institution’s chief academic officer—the office works closely with the president, deans, faculty, and academic and administrative units to shape and elevate the academic enterprise. Its responsibilities include advancing academic excellence, supporting teaching and research, fostering student success, and ensuring alignment with WSU’s land‑grant mission. Through collaborative leadership and data‑informed decision‑making, the Office of the Provost stewards the academic direction of the university and helps chart a strong, sustainable future for all WSU campuses.

About the Office of the Provost

T. Chris Riley-Tillman joined WSU as provost and executive vice president in July 2024. Prior to WSU, Dr. Riley-Tillman was the Dean of the College of Education & Human Development at the University of Missouri. He held the Joanne H. Hook Dean’s Chair in Educational Renewal and was a Professor in the Department of Educational, School & Counseling Psychology. Dr. Riley-Tillman’s scholarship is rooted in identifying effective educational strategies. He is the co-developer of Direct Behavior Ratings, a process for teachers to identify and respond to the needs of students.

Meet Provost Riley-Tillman

Latest from the Provost

Faculty and Student Highlights

Native youth curate Clyfford Still exhibition with WSU art professor

Washington State University’s Michael Holloman recently helped guide Colville Tribal youth as they brought fresh perspectives to a new Clyfford Still exhibition at the Denver Museum, dedicated to the famed artist and former Washington State College faculty member.

WSU selected for state medical association’s first full‑ride student scholarship

The Washington State Medical Association’s philanthropic arm has selected the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine for its first four-year scholarship to a student to attend the medical school in Washington state. The recipient will be announced in spring 2026.

‘They need this’ — WSU students redesign prison yard as class project

Assistant Professor Dan Cronan’s assignment to students in his undergraduate studio class: redesign the exercise yard at the Washington State Penitentiary’s minimum-security unit in Walla Walla. Their designs would transform a bare-bones field into a multi-use space.

WSU Academic Snapshot

13:1 Student to faculty ratio

11 National Academy members

5 Top 1% of world's most-cited researchers

39 Washington counties (all) with a WSU Extension office

Map of the state of Washington with WSU system locations overlaid on it. WSU campuses and extension centers are highlighted with waypoint markers.